1st Battalion The Royal Welsh (1 R WELSH) returned from Operation HERRICK 16 in October, after a six-month tour of duty. The Welsh troops were based in Helmand province, where they conducted a range of missions, including a security and ground holding role, mentoring and liaison with the Afghan National Police (ANP) and Afghan National Army (ANA) and ensuring the local populations were safe from enemy threats.

The parade, led by the regimental goat, Billy, and the Band of the Prince of Wales`s Division, took in all the main streets of the town before finishing where it had begun, at Chester Racecourse, to be greeted by hundreds of cheering family members and friends.

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Webb MC, said to march through Chester and meet Sir Alex Ferguson was a special honour for the troops. He said:

"We have had so much support from the communities around Wales and Chester while we`ve been away and the soldiers are so grateful for that.

"To return home and take part in these events provides us with an opportunity to say thank you for that support. It was a long tour and so much was achieved, but not without sacrifice.

"The tour was difficult in many ways, not least due to the sad loss of our comrades, but also due to the increasingly complex environment in which the fusilier has to fight.

"The fantastic progress we enjoyed during our deployment is testament to the excellent training we received, the hard work of those units who deployed before us and the determination, courage and commitment of the officers and men of the battalion.

"This parade will also be about remembering those who lost their lives during the tour. They will never be forgotten by the battalion and we have all individually spent time reflecting on their lives and shared memories. We take time today to remember them together with the wider regimental family.

"I`m so grateful to Sir Alex for taking the time out and presenting medals. It makes the day all that more special."

Sir Alex said this was the first time he had taken part in such an event:

"I want to thank these lads for the service they`ve given our country – without them Great Britain wouldn`t be Great Britain … we all depend on them."

He added:

"I`ve got great respect for the Armed Forces. One of my best friend`s sons was lost in action, so I know exactly what it means."

Sir Alex said he has recently been involved in helping to raise funds for two charities which support the Armed Forces:

"I think we all owe them (the Armed Forces) a debt. There`s a fantastic feel for all the troops from the whole of Britain."

The head of the Army in Wales, Brigadier Philip Napier, Commander 160 (Wales) Brigade; the Lord Mayor of Chester, Councillor Pam Booher; and The Lord Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs, also joined the soldiers at Chester Racecourse.